West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-09-22

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comparison between "A thin man like YOU
and fat OK but
We had reached our destination. En-
tering the shop, we came upon VI. Ballu,
the upholstereT, who, all budding and
blooming, was busy working at parcel
of goods
"Oh, that's your little game, is it?7 be.
gan Choquart, as soon as he set eyes on
his intended victim. ''You're alive
theni l thought as much But You
don't play the monkey with me any
longer, Mister Turk; you've caught the
wrong SOW by the ear this time, let me
tell you"
Monsieur Choquarty" exclaimed the
merchant
''Nes, sir, my name is Choquart- -Cho.
quart, do you hear, sir! who'll have
none OF this tomfoolery Your wife
where is she, your wife2 She's Young
and pretty, but wants to run rig upon
me. Your wife, | say, averred that YOU
were on your last legs, and would be rs
dead as herring in less than six months
and here you are, alive and kicking. Now
is that the way you keep your engage
mentsl
"Ahl Monsieur Choquart." reioinod
the merchant, who had somewhat re-
covered from his first fright. 81 have
been i'll, very i'll, indeed. You'll never
see me don the Turkish garb again.
us over now. So let me ask YOU to
forgive and forget any improper thing
l may have said on that eventfu night.
''One moment" said Choquart, mot
quite 50 fast please. DO you tender your
excuses in the regular formp
Faith, l don't quite understand what
form that Is. But this l know. for |
have inquired about you and learned
that you are right good fellow. Come.
l have roasted leg of mutton with kid
ney- beans. Will you do me the honor
TO dine with me, you and your friendl
MY wife will be overjoyed. Aglae. why
don't you Gomez Here is NJ. Choauart
who accepts an invitation TO dine with
us.
OF course nodded assent, while it was
not over difficult TO read on Choauart's
relaxing countenance that the roasted
ieg oil mutton had found the way to his
heart
Then again, added NJ. Ballu, who
now felt that he had the game in his own
hands 81 have a certain Madeira about
which should like to have your opin-
ion, Monsieur Choquart.
You have no Madeira, sir. - retorted
cyelids.
But"
81 say you have no Madeira sir. ~ ex-
claimed the duelist, raising his voice and
gesticulating like madman. And
please take notice that | am not TO be
contradicted on this point / have drunk
but one glass of genuine Madeira during
the whole course of my life. Twas at
the Iuleries Yes, sir, | had lust re-
covered from sickness, and was on duty
at the Kings dinner A glass of Madeira
having been poured out for Louis XVIII.
his Majesty turning toward the cup
bearer, said Hand that to Choouart
and give him my compliments. DO you
hear me nowp
But, Monsieur Choquart, assure
you"
II say that you have no Madeira,
sir, screeched Choquart, who had grown
furious, and brought his hand down with
terrific force on the wooden counter.
III you once more dare to say that YOU
have Madeira wine I'll tear your head
clean of from your shoulders And
what else did you say you hadI'
Wen, said the merchant, who was
somewhat staggered at this sudden fit of
passion, 'pye leg of mutton with
kidney beans"
"A leg of mutton" said Choquart. in
soft tone of voice, 'thats good. when
well roasted. But I'm confident twill
be overdone. Have you got such thing
asa spitP"
"a spit2 should say had" burst
out NJ. Ballu, with kindling eyes. "OnIy
just pass this way, gentlemen and see
for yourselves" F"
The merchant led us into a comfortable
back shop, which answered the purpose
OF dining-roOm. There on the hearth.
IN front of bright blazing fire, a fine
leg Of mutton majestically turned on a
spit, like planet round the sun
That looks nice, remarked Chouuart.
after moment Of silent contemplation.
You are not altogether an IDIOT. A
man who knows the worth of a spit dc
serves to live. But why don't you haste
your leg Of muttOnl' So saving Cho
quart took up the ladle, and BEGAN
pouring over the meat the rich steamino
juice. At that moment the merchants
wife came in
''Ah, good day, madame, good dav 20
you" said ChOquart, as he leant over
and deluged the savory roast. owen.
you see what has happened. Your hus-
band isn't dead after all Dear me. how
shall we get to arrange the natter IT'S
very provoking, very"
ALAS, sir, twas a severe trial. God.
In His goodness, has spared his life. /
trust the lesson will be Of service TO
him"
"God, in His goodnessi" went on NUT
tering Choquart That's all very well.
But we haven't settled our little Difficult
ty as yet"
"Come, now, Choquart, " said inter
rupting him pretty sharply, "we've had
enough on that score NJ Ballu has
rendered you his best excuses in my pres I.
ence, and cordially invites you to dinner .
what more do you want2"
Dear me, said Choquart, still faeci F.
mated by the leg Of mutton, III do think .
it is beginning to burn at the iointn
The difficulty was now over. and the .
duelist completely disarmed. We an had .
dinner. ChOquart recounted his ducls
to the uphoisterer, and drank with great
gusto his spurious" MADEIRA.
Choquart died in poverty. For over
twenty years he had lived on q small pcn-
sion granted him by the Comte dc Cham.
bord. When. however. he received five